Propeller for swimmers.



A. SOMMERPELD.

PROPELLER FOR SWIMMERS.

APPLICATION FILED APR.20, 1914.

1 1 30,209. Patented Mar. 2, 1915.

lV/TNESSES: INVENTOR.

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AUGUST SOMMEBFELD, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

PROPELLER FOR SVJIIVIMERS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 2, 1915.

Application filed Apri120, 1914. Serial No. 833,297.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, AUGUST SOMMERFELD, a citizen of the United States,and resident of St. Louis, Missouri, have invented certain new anduseful improvements in Propellers for Swimmers, of which the followingis a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in propellers for swimmers, andhas for its object a hinged member which is firmly at tached to the limbof a swimmer and to said member is hingediy mounted a pair of wingswhich are permitted to operate when the limb of the swimmer is broughtforward and rearward during the swimming action.

Figure l, is a perspective view of my invention shown in position on thelimb of a swimmer. Fig. 2, is a front View of the same. Fig. 3, is a topplan view with the wings in open position. Fig. 4, is a detailperspective view of parts broken away, and in section, of the hingedconnection of that portion of the device to which the propeller is heldin position on the limb of the swimmer.

In carrying out my invention I provide a body portion consisting of twocurved members 5 and 6, each being provided with loops 7, by which bothof said members are held together in hinged connection; the ears 8, ofone member being provided with bars 9, over which the car 10, of theconnecting member is bent in order to form a hinged connection. On thefree ends 11, of the members 5 and 6, are fastened straps 1:2 and 13.One of said straps being provided with a buckle let, to which theopposite strap is attached for supporting the members 5 and 6, inposition over the limb 15, of the swimmer. ()n the outer face of themembers 5 and 6, are hingedly mounted wings 16 and 17. These wings areconstructed with loops 18, which fit over links 19, firmly secured tothe outer face of the memmers 5 and 6; and in order to limit the outwardmovement of the wings l6 and 17, projecting lugs 20, are formed on saidwings which contact with the surface of the members 5 and 6, limitingthe movement of said wings to a position as shown in Fig. 3; but by thisarrangement said wings 16 and 17 would be permitted to fold up againstthe outer surface of the members 5 and 6, when the limb is broughtforward in the water, but when the limb is brought backward in a kickingfashion or backward stroke said wings will automatically open by thefric tion of the water acting as paddles, permitting the body to bepropelled forward by means of the contact of the wings with the water.In order to provide suitable rigidity to said wings, the surface asshown in Figs. 1 and 2, is provided with corrugations 21.

The essential feature of this invention is to construct a device whichcan be attached to the fore-arm or wrist as well as over the shin of theswimmer, and during the regular movement of the arms and legs of theswimmer the wings will properly fold and unfold, acting as propellers toadvance the body in the water.

Having fully described my invention what I claim is:

1. A device of the class described comprising a two part hinged bodyportion, means for attaching the same to the shin of a swimmer; andwings hingedly attached to the parts comprising the body portion,substantially as specified.

2. Adevice of the class described comprising a two part hinged bodyportion, straps attached thereto by which said body portion is firmlyfastened over the shin of a swimmer, wings hingedly attached to theparts forming the body portion; projecting lugs formed on the wings forlimiting the extended movement of the wings, substantially as specified.

3. A device of the class described comprising a body portion, consistingof two curved members, each provided with loops and connected togetherforming a hinge; means for fastening the members to the limb of aswimmer; a pair of corrugated wings hingedly attached to the outersurface of the member, and means for limiting the extended movement ofsaid wings but permitting said wings to conform with the contour of thefastening member, substantially as specified.

4. A device of the class described comprising a semi-circular bodyportion composed of two parts hingedly connected together, strapsconnected to the free ends over the shin; a pair of wings hingedlycontwo subscribing Witnesses.

of said parts, Whei'eby thersaine is supported name to thisspecification, presenne bf nected to said parts, each of said Wings'hav-AUGFUSTv 1 ing projecting lugs e'xtending'beyond-mhe 5 hinge forlimiting the outward 'mo've'mn't "Witnesses: V

of said Wings, substantially asspecified. V ALFRED A. EIcKs,

In testimony whereof, Ihave signed my 'WALTERC. STEIN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained 'tor"fiy' eent's each,by'fidflr'ssi ng th Gommis'sione; of Patents.

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